My good mate Phil Gore has started his Project 168 which is running a 6.7 kilometre loop on the hour every hour for 168 hours, that’s a full week of running. For the uninitiated a Backyard Ultra is completing a 6.7 kilometre loop within an hour and any time left over is for rest, refueling or generally mucking about.  The next lap starts on the hour and continues until there is only one person left, the winner.   Phil holds the World Record at 119 laps and is also the World Champion.  He has won all but two of races in this format and set the World Record on a number of occasions. The problem is, for Phil, the format requires the race to stop when the second last runner taps out. This means Phil has never been able to see how far he can really go because he is forced to stop.

To overcome this inconvenience Phil came up with Project 168, just him against the lap counter with the goal a massive 168 hours.  The event would also be a fundraiser for a much-loved WA charity Telethon, https://www.telethon7.com/ .

As part of the fundraising strategy us mere mortals could buy a lap with Phil and he reached out to me and offered me lap 47 as this was the lap when Phil and I set the Australian record for this format in 2021, the video of that momentous achievement can be found here, I highly recommend you watch it.

So, this morning I rocked up to the event site for a 6am kick off and Phil and I ran a loop, his 47th. We started in the dark and halfway through the lap the sun rose. It was a pretty special moment, two old friends just enjoying the moment and reminiscing about the journey. Phil has come a long way from setting Australian records in 2021 to becoming the best backyard ultra runner in the world, bar none.   This is the main reason for this post. If any reader who has got this far please go to http://philgore.com.au and donate or alternatively go to YouTube channel and immerse yourself in the record attempt (just search on Project 168 in YouTube, while the event is on)

You never know, if you’re unlucky you may see me on the live stream..

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Big shout out to fisiocrem , this product is just incredible for tired and aching legs. I use it daily and have noticed a vast improvement in recovery.

Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ )  The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products)  can be difficult to digest later in the event.  From the website :-

As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority. 

In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance. 

In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born. 

BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work! 

BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!

What can I say about HumanTecar,  ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !

Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.

Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )

T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in.  It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong,  storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)

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